they are small and delicate, and i think sterling silver. what can i do to make them look like new??
2006-12-13 14:15:40 · 10 answers · asked by thatweirdchick 4 in Beauty & Style ➔ Fashion & Accessories
If your not sure of the metal I'd have it assessed by a jeweler. Different metals require different care. And many times they will clean it for free. If it really is silver there is a good commercial products available. I know a good home remedy that works will with silver dinner ware is to line a sink or a dish with aluminum foil add hot water to cover then add 1/2 to 1 cup of new baking soda. It will foam. leave in till tarnish is gone 1/2 to 1 hour and buff with a soft cloth perferably one designated ONLY for the jewerly.
2006-12-13 14:28:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (which won't tarnish) and 7.5% metal alloy which includes copper - and this is what causes the sterling silver to tarnish. Tarnish will occur with the alloy reacting to the air - warm, moist air will encourage faster tarnishing. The easiest way to clean them is with a silver polishing cloth. This cloth has a polishing compound impregnated in the cloth and will wipe away the tarnish with rubbing. You may also like to clean them with in a solution of warm water and a couple of drops of mild detergent, then rub all over with an old toothbrush, rinse in clean water and dry on a paper towel. Alternately you can obtain chemical jewellery cleaners. However, be very careful if you are using a chemical cleaner if the earrings contain gemstones or pearls as these can be damaged by the chemicals. A professional could clean them in a tumbler or with an ultrasonic machine - once again, if they do not contain stones. Once you have removed the tarnish, wipe over them with a soft cloth after each wear and then place in an airtight environment eg. a ziplock bag. The lack of air in this environment will slow down the tarnishing process. You can also get "anti-tarnish" strips to keep with your jewellery - these won't make the tarnish go away if it is already there, but it will help prevent further tarnishing.
2016-05-23 22:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a music or jewelry store and purchase a silver polishing cloth. The cloth is treated and you should be able to rub the tarnish off. If the earrings are very small, ask your jeweler about having them silver-dipped or hydrosonically cleaned.
2006-12-13 14:24:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best, cheapest, and most common thing around is baking soda. I have had some badly tarnished silver and cleaned them with baking soda and the jewelry looks like new. Use an old tooth brush, run under warm water and scrub.
2006-12-13 14:44:06 · answer #4 · answered by volkgal 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cigarette ash works wonders on silver ! Put some on your finger, put it on the item, leave for a few minutes and then rub off with cotton wool or a soft cloth. Or you can buy some nice jewellery cleaners in the shops. And toothpaste also works well. Especially on diamonds.
2006-12-14 01:04:35 · answer #5 · answered by dragonfly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wal-mart has a cleaner that comes in a red bottle. All you do is drop it in there for a few seconds, there's a brush you can scrub it with and then rinse it off with water. I am very careful about my necklace because it means a lot to me and I use it every month!
2006-12-13 14:18:21 · answer #6 · answered by meandyou4lif 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tiffanys has good silver cleaner. If you feel like getting that, but it works.
2006-12-13 14:25:01 · answer #7 · answered by Vic 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try to clean it with lemon and could make shining.
2006-12-13 14:34:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Switch to yellow gold- like mine!
2006-12-13 14:19:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
clean with toot paste
2006-12-13 14:18:02 · answer #10 · answered by rajan naidu 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋